PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX. A vote of thanks was also accorded the Strawberry Hill and Sir Charles Bright Chapters for the use of furniture, and especially to Comp. R. W. INSTALLATION OF COMP. THE RIGHT HON. LORD Forge, to whose energy and assistance, a large measure of the success of the GEORGE HAMILTON, M.P., AS GRAND SUPERINTENDENT. meeting was due. The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , in moving a hearty vote of thanks to the The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held Third Grand Principal for his attendance, said the manner in which he dis- at the Town Hall, Twickenham, on Saturday, the ioth inst., when Comp. charged the duties that day had given great satisfaction to every companion Lord George Hamilton , M.P., was installed as Grand Superintendent in present. Comp. Beach had attained the highest ranks in Masonry, and there succession to the late Comp. Col. Sir Francis Burdett, in the presence of the were few who had a greater knowledge of the working of the Craft and Royal largest gathering of Royal Arch Masons ever assembled under the banner Arch Masonry. of this successful province. The installation was performed by Comp. Comp. W. W. B. BEACH , G.J., returned thanks, and expressed his W. W. B. Beach, M.P., P.G.J., assisted by Comps. Col. G. Noel Money, pleasure at being present. He was always glad to discharge any duty in G. Supt., as Prov. G.H., and Rev. S. T. H. Saunders, as Prov. G-J. With Freemasonry in his power if he could conduce in the slightest to the promo- Comp. Frank Richardson occupying the important post of D.C. it is scarcely tion of the Order. He was glad that day to be engaged in a ceremony necessary to add that the ceremony was carried out with .'solemnity, smooth - which, he felt sure, would be productive in the future of consequences of a ness and dignity, and the impressive function was heattily enjoyed by all most beneficial nature for the Province of Middlesex. He could only wish the companions present. a. most happy and prosperous reign to the Grand Superintendent he had had Provincial Grand Chapter was opened, the minutes read and confirmed , the privilege of placing in the chair. and the Audit report accepted. Chapter was,closed and a banquet Comp. W. W. B. BEACH , Grand J., having taken the chair, said The Prov. Grand , , provided by Bro. Ihe meeting had been summoned for the purpose of installing the Grand Barton , of the King's Arms, was subsequently enjoyed. Superintendent designate to the presidency of the province. He was glad to In giving "The Queen and the Craft " the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT see so many assembled on this interesting occasion , and from the new Grand expressed the hope that it might be many years befor-: the people of England Superintenden t's well-known skill and ability he trusted his appointment had to deplore the close of a beneficent and -ilmj st unprecedented reign of would be productive of good results to Royal Arch Masonry. over 57 years of peace and prosperity. The Grand Superintendent designate was announced , ard having been The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT -hm o'o-.osod " H.R.H. th» Prince of introduced by a deputation of six Principals, headed by the D.C, was obli- Wales, M.E.Z.," and said that one of fie p i n u-v fn-v: o is of M is >nrv gated, invested, proclai m ed , and saluted. was to give relief and con-.nl.uion t> ih i-« in rl. f.-s- . ol ! -n H.R.H, The Grand Superintendent appointed and obligated Comp. Raymond H. received word that the hus'iand of his sister-in -I i v wis m < In- i •¦ >i- - n i.t iliiih. Thrupp, P.G.S.B.. as Prov. Grand H., and Comp. Mead , as Prov. Grand J. he hastened at once, notwithstanding his muhilartous eng igem uts , to I ml The G RAND SUPERINTENDENT then addressed the companions. He by his presence r ome consoUtion to those afflicted. Let the n nope fiat the said that as the solemn ceremony of installation had been concluded , and as Order would always be blessed with one as the head who would be associ- the result he had been installed as the Grand Superintendent of the Province ated so successfully with the work , and with that sentiment he asked them of Middlesex , they would , perhaps, allow him , in a few words, to express to drink the toast he had proposed. his feelings on this occasion. When it was intimated to him that there was " Th>i Grand Officers was next submitted by the Grand Superintendent , an intention in high quarters to recommend him to this high post in Masonry, who said that a few minutes ago he should have b 'en able to couple the the highest to which it was possible to attain in the province, he felt some name of Comp. Beach , but unfortunately that companion hid been com- reluctance in having his name associated with the office , for which he felt he pelled to leave for a different part of the country. He was sure the com- was scarcely qualified by previous experience or knowled ge. He had the panions appreciated Comp. Beach coming up fro m his country resident lo greatest reluctance in any way undertaking, or bring associated with be present that day. He always felt that one of the charms f Fieem is mry duties he was unable to perform , as he disliked being a mere figure in its lowest and hi ghest branches was the sense of jollity which always pre- head in any society or meeting, but he reflected that kindliness and sympathy vailed after dinner, and that induced one to speak in more colloquial langu age were one of the characteristics of the Order, and felt confident that whatever than one possessed before. Comp. Bi'ach was a really good companion and his experience or shortcomings might be, he could rely upon the experience a very remarkable man. As a Member of Parliament his tenure of office ard knowledge of those with whom he would be associated. In investing had been less contested than almost any other. A chairman of Quarter the Prov. G.H. and Prov. G.J., he abstained from describing their duties in Sessions, an excellent master of hounds, and when a young man was the fastest any way, as he felt that in the positions they occupied , it was far more sprint runner of the day. As a Mason he was always in the fire front, and probable that at the outset he should lean upon them. The Installing every companion was acquainted with his work . Looking round for a Princi pal, in the weighty words he addressed to him , spoke from long experience companion to reply in Comp. Beach's place , he had come to the conclusion as an administrator of the Order. He would bear in mind the words in that Comp. Richardson was the best suited to respond. He had been a which he impressed upon him , that amongst the duties he had to discharge most successful D.C. that day. All people, young or old in life, always liked was, not too lightly to pass on for sanction any application for new chapters. their tutors to conduct their affairs . He could not express praise in Comp. In the solemn words of the ceremony they had gone throug h, they under- Richardson 's presence, but he wa? quite right in associating his name with took their duties to advance the tone and interest of Royal Arch Masonry. the toast for he came of the same category, and those were an honour to Let him sincerely hope that the investiture which had taken place might Freemasonry. promote the best interests of Royal Arch Masonry, and that in years to come Comp. FRANK R ICHARDSON , G.D.C, said he only wished he was he might be able to asscciate his tenure of office with an increase both of endowed with the speaking qualities of their Grand Superintendent , to be members and efficiency of Rojal Arch Masons of the Province of Middlesex. able to return thanks in an equally good manner for the way in which he On the proposition of Comp. BII.BY , Comp. Oliver was unanimously proposed the toast. On the part of the Grand Officers ha could only express elected Prov. Grand Treasure r, and the following officers were appointed their pleasure at having been present at the ceremony which had taken place, a nd invested : and for the second time having seen Lord George Hamilton installed at the f ' ' -omp. W. H. Lee (re-appointed) ... ... Prov. G.S.E. head of this province in Masonry. It was a great pleasure to see Comp. „ Dr. Matthew ... ... ... Prov. G.S.N. Beach present, for he was a great favourite in Freemasonry as in other walks „ Oliver ... ... ... ... Prov. G. Treas. ), Cil>nn Smith ... ... ... Prov. G. Reg. of life. On the part of the Grand Officers he thanked them most sincerely. ., Hakim ... ... ... ... Prov. G.P.S. Comp. Col. G. NOEL M ONEY , C.B., G. Supt. Surrey, said he felt it a n Trehearne ... ... ... Prov. ist A.G.S. great privilege to be called upon to propose the next toast. He had been » Holt ... ... ... ... Prov. 2nd A.G.S. taken quite unawares, for this toast should have been proposed by Comp. ii Marvin ... ... ... ... Prov. G.S.B. Beach, whom they regretted had been obliged to leave.